Musculoskeletal and anthropometric factors associated with urinary incontinence in pregnancy

Urinary incontinence (UI) is a common pelvic floor dysfunction in pregnancy. The relationship between biomechanical changes and pregnancy-related UI has not been fully elucidated.

To investigate the association of various musculoskeletal and anthropometric changes in pregnancy that affect gestational UI.

The study was conducted with 275 pregnant women. Ninety-three, 110 and 72 women were in first, second and third trimesters, respectively. Incontinence Impact Questionnaire for UI, Urogenital Distress Inventory-Short Form and Incontinence Severity Index were applied. Lumbar lordosis measurement was performed by Baseline Bubble Inclinometer while diastasis recti abdominis (DRA) measurement was carried out by finger-width method. Manual muscle test for rectus abdominis and right and left external oblique abdominal muscles, and Benign joint hypermobility test with Beighton scoring method were also applied as musculoskeletal measurements. Tape measurement at the waist, umbilical and hip levels, caliper with bi-iliac and bi-trochanteric diameters were also recorded as anthropometric measurements.

Significant associated factors for UI were: umbilical DRA (OR = 1.57; p = .012); rectus abdominis muscle strength (values of 3 and below, OR = 1.2; p = .014); umbilical environment (OR = 1.1; p = .029); bi-iliac diameter (OR = 1.1; p = .05;) and bi-trochanteric diameter (OR = 1.3; p = .05), respectively.

Changing musculoskeletal and anthropometric characteristics of pregnant women should be taken into consideration in UI follow-up during pregnancy.